Friday, August 28, 2009
Our first Friday
Hooray! We made it through our first week, and we are all still here. Yesterday, Aidan was asked, "What school do you go to?" He bent his head, hunched his shoulders and mumbled, "My mom's school." I know that I have very good, valid reasons for doing this, but sometimes I worry. Am I taking away something special from them? Are they going to grow up to be anti-social? Will they hate me for this later? Sometimes being a parent is just plain tough. No, I'm not doubting my decision already...I am committed to this for at least a year. I predict that I am going to enjoy this so much, that I would never consider doing it differently. Are you laughing? Well, I think my parents are, but then again there were seven of us....I'm not even going to touch that.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Day 4 (diaper disaster)
Pop quiz: What happens to a diaper when washed with a load of clothes in the washing machine? No, I am not talking about the reusable kind. I'm talking about the good ole' disposable, reliable, luvs #4 diaper.Before today, I had no reason to know the answer to this question, but as fortunate as I am, I now know.
Today I decided to begin school after the baby went down for a nap, thinking that by having one less distraction, things would be a little easier. This very well might have been the case if I hadn't decided to do laundry with the assistance of my 1 year old (Nolan).
Everything was going as planned...all three boys were fed, lunch was cleared, and the baby put down for a nap. This is the point in my day where I am educated to, "the effects of a disposable diaper in the washing machine." Before heading upstairs to begin today's lesson, I decide to quickly throw the clothes in the dryer (assuming this task will take about 3 minutes tops).
The load set before me, is a load of darks, so instantly I know something is wrong. "What are all of these gooey clear-colored dots all over these clothes?" Thinking that perhaps the boys left a small ball, or toy in their pocket, I begin pulling the clothes back out of the dryer and shaking them. Ten minutes later, the shaking continues..."Where is all this stuff coming from?" Then I see it, the culprit, a size 4 luvs disposable diaper (or what is left of it). Twenty minutes later, I am joined by Aidan (my firstgrader), "Mommy what are you doing,....ooooo yuck, what is all this gooey stuff all over the floor?"
By the time we got started on our curriculum, the baby's nap was half over and I was being bombarded with requests and demands from 4 year old (Brycen). However, I did not neglect this special moment to use as a science lesson. "A diaper can only hold so much mass before it combusts."
Today I decided to begin school after the baby went down for a nap, thinking that by having one less distraction, things would be a little easier. This very well might have been the case if I hadn't decided to do laundry with the assistance of my 1 year old (Nolan).
Everything was going as planned...all three boys were fed, lunch was cleared, and the baby put down for a nap. This is the point in my day where I am educated to, "the effects of a disposable diaper in the washing machine." Before heading upstairs to begin today's lesson, I decide to quickly throw the clothes in the dryer (assuming this task will take about 3 minutes tops).
The load set before me, is a load of darks, so instantly I know something is wrong. "What are all of these gooey clear-colored dots all over these clothes?" Thinking that perhaps the boys left a small ball, or toy in their pocket, I begin pulling the clothes back out of the dryer and shaking them. Ten minutes later, the shaking continues..."Where is all this stuff coming from?" Then I see it, the culprit, a size 4 luvs disposable diaper (or what is left of it). Twenty minutes later, I am joined by Aidan (my firstgrader), "Mommy what are you doing,....ooooo yuck, what is all this gooey stuff all over the floor?"
By the time we got started on our curriculum, the baby's nap was half over and I was being bombarded with requests and demands from 4 year old (Brycen). However, I did not neglect this special moment to use as a science lesson. "A diaper can only hold so much mass before it combusts."
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Day 3
August 26, 2009
Today we went to the library. Kind of a little field trip, I guess. Took things a lot more relaxed. I don’t want to overwhelm him the first week, so instead of our regular reading curriculum, we read a book that interested him, on his grade level. We skipped handwriting for the day and did the other two subjects from the curriculum. It was a very pleasant experience. The other boys seemed to enjoy the outing as well. All in all, I’d say it went rather well.
Today we went to the library. Kind of a little field trip, I guess. Took things a lot more relaxed. I don’t want to overwhelm him the first week, so instead of our regular reading curriculum, we read a book that interested him, on his grade level. We skipped handwriting for the day and did the other two subjects from the curriculum. It was a very pleasant experience. The other boys seemed to enjoy the outing as well. All in all, I’d say it went rather well.
Day 2
August 25, 2009
....The adventure continues. After 15 mins of very little work, he was ready to quit. "I just want to be lazy, I don't want to do this any more." To which I reply, "O.k. you can be lazy. You can sit on this couch, with no toys, nothing, until you are ready to finish this small lesson and then you can play. "You mean I can't watch t.v. or play on the computer, or nothing?" "Nope, you want to be lazy...you get to, and when you are done and you realize how boring being lazy is, we will finish this lesson and let you do all sorts of other fun stuff. Ten minutes later…”O.k. let’s finish, I’m ready Momma, I want to do it now.” Twenty minutes later we were completely through for the day, it’s like he got an adrenaline rush.
....The adventure continues. After 15 mins of very little work, he was ready to quit. "I just want to be lazy, I don't want to do this any more." To which I reply, "O.k. you can be lazy. You can sit on this couch, with no toys, nothing, until you are ready to finish this small lesson and then you can play. "You mean I can't watch t.v. or play on the computer, or nothing?" "Nope, you want to be lazy...you get to, and when you are done and you realize how boring being lazy is, we will finish this lesson and let you do all sorts of other fun stuff. Ten minutes later…”O.k. let’s finish, I’m ready Momma, I want to do it now.” Twenty minutes later we were completely through for the day, it’s like he got an adrenaline rush.
Day 1
August 24, 2009
Beginning our first day of home school. So far, I have learned that...1. 6 year olds can't concentrate long enough to do all the curriculum in one setting, breaks are a necessity. 2. It is important to have multiple ideas to keep the younger ones occupied, one idea is not enough. 3. Expect to have at least one diaper change and two potty breaks in an hours time.
Beginning our first day of home school. So far, I have learned that...1. 6 year olds can't concentrate long enough to do all the curriculum in one setting, breaks are a necessity. 2. It is important to have multiple ideas to keep the younger ones occupied, one idea is not enough. 3. Expect to have at least one diaper change and two potty breaks in an hours time.
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